Darts Hill Garden is the result of over 75 years of work and dedication guided by the clear vision of Francisca Darts. Along with her husband Edwin, Francisca took a logged piece of land, turned it first into an award winning orchard and then into the unique garden that is Darts Hill today.
Francisca’s curiosity and love of the new and interesting has resulted in the most diverse collection of mature tree and shrub species in the Pacific Northwest. Many were planted from seed collected from around the world.
In 1994 Edwin and Francisca Darts donated their 7.5-acre garden to the City of Surrey and its citizens. Their intention was to give Surrey its own garden to be used as a horticultural centre for the preservation, enhancement, and development of plants. The non-profit Darts Hill Garden Conservancy Trust Society works in partnership with the City of Surrey towards these goals.
For information about when to visit the garden, please click here.
For information about memberships, please click here.
For a truly customized experience, bring your own group of five or more for a two-hour Guided Tour, conducted by one of our experienced guides.
Pre-registration is required for all tours.Tour cost is $5 per person. Visit our tours section to learn all you need to know about booking a Darts Hill Tour.
Darts Hill Garden can be magical for children of all ages. They’ll enjoy exploring the winding mossy pathways, going through “tree tunnels,” and taking in the colours, sounds, and smells of the garden. They’ll observe the variety and unique features of plants from around the world, learn to recognize our own Pacific Coast native plants, see honeybees and mason bees at work, and perhaps see a rabbit or other creature that inhabits the garden. It’s a unique learning experience.
Parents are asked to supervise their children and teach them to stay on the pathways and respect the special plants in this garden. Bicycles, skateboards, soccer balls, and similar items are not permitted in the Heritage Garden at Darts Hill Garden Park. Secure bike racks are available for your use. Ride your bike to the garden!
Follow the Garden’s extraordinary history from its start in the 1940s to its donation to the City of Surrey.
